Besides adults, a mattress is very important for promoting sound sleep in a baby, too. Not many people know how to select the right mattress for newborn babies. It requires a good amount of research on the features that you must look for in a baby mattress. Right selection of the features makes your baby safe, comfortable and cozy. There are a few ways by which you can choose the best mattress brand for your baby.
Swaddle blanket
Swaddling assists in settling a baby when she gets overstimulated. It prevents her from getting disturbed by her startle reflex. Newborns are not so good at regulating their body temperature. In such cases, a swaddle blanket helps keep your baby warm. You can keep her head and face uncovered so that she can easily breathe and does not get overheated.
If your baby is enveloped, then there is probably no need for another blanket to wrap it up. Not all accessories would be useful for all babies. There are some babies who do not like being swaddled, so you need to follow the baby's cues.
Baby mattress
Experts advise to make your baby sleep on her back on a firm and flat surface. Firm foam, coir or spring mattress works well. Avoid mattresses that have cotton or polyester stuffed into it where the stuffing can form lumps.
As a newborn has difficulty in turning her head on its own, it can result in forming any depressions or lumps in it. This can cause suffocation hazard if the nose of your baby gets blocked in between the folds of the mattress. You will get several different types of baby mattress in the market. Some of them come with a fitted mattress. It is worth checking that your mattress is safe for him/her.
Don't go for the ones that have soft surfaces. It may result in the sinking of the baby. Some of the ones that you need to ignore are fleeces, bean bags, waterbeds and baby nests. They are not appropriate for your little one to sleep on. Also, surfaces that have a distance/gap of some inches on each side of the mattresses can result in your baby getting trapped or stuck in it.
Bedside or co-sleeper
Co-sleeper beds or side beds are great when you want to be close to your baby. If you do not want your baby to sleep in the family bed, but want to be near to her, then you need to consider a bedside sleeper or co-sleeper.
This crib-like bed structure fits comfortably against your bed. It keeps your baby within reach and completely safe in her own little space. But, after some time you will be required to look for a cot or any other sleeping arrangement when your child outgrows the co-sleeper.
Mattress cover
If your baby stays in cotton nappies for the entire day, then you would require a mattress cover to safeguard the mattress from becoming wet frequently. If this mattress has a smaller size than the usual one, then it should fit under your bed sheet. If it is placed on top, then it should have a size that is sufficient to cover the entire mattress without getting loose at the night time.
Mattress covers can be made either by using rubber or plastic sheets. Most of the modern mattress covers have a waterproof layer on the top of it which prevents it from getting wet.
Cot sheets
As the mattress has to be firm, you need to ensure that the sheets of the baby's mattress fit tightly. This is because loose sheets can lead to a suffocation for small babies. If you don't find the perfect size in the market, then you can even get it by your tailor by placing an order for it.
It is advised to get an elastic tied to the edges of the sheet. This will ensure that your sheet does not come off the mattress with the tossing and turning of your baby in her sleep. You can also be surprised to see how much your baby can move in his sleep!
Cot sheets can be of flannel, cotton, or stretched form of cotton terry. Natural fibers are best to keep your baby very comfortable in cold and hot weather. Sheets of artificial fibers make your baby sweat a lot more in the heat. So, go for natural fibers over synthetic ones.
Baby sleepers, cot separators, or dividers
Cot separators are very useful if you have a baby who sleeps in a big cot and you like him/her to stay in one area of the cot. This separator is kept horizontally across the cot. This helps in preventing her from twisting under covers and blankets.
Baby sleepers are best to use when your baby shares your family bed. Such sleepers fit in the mid-section of a larger bed which keeps the baby in between the parents. This is particularly helpful if you sleep with your baby.
Sleep sacks, sleeping bags, and wearable blankets
Sleeping bags, sleep sacks and wearable blankets are some of the popular options available on the market. One of the best things about these sleep accessories is that they do not get tangled. This prevents your baby from kicking them off. This implies that she is less prone to wake up due to feeling cold.
If you plan to buy a sleeping bag, then the first thing that you need to consider is the season. You need to pick the one that does not have a hood. The hood should have the proper size around the neck. This would prevent your baby from slipping down in the bag. Don't mistake the one that has a duvet or quilt. This is because it will make your baby very hot.
Cot mobile
A cot mobile gets tied to the edge of the cot. It hangs over the mattress. Cot mobiles for newborn mostly come with patterns of black and white as small babies have an attraction to high contrast colors.
Mobiles are another good way to distract your baby as she lays herself in her bed. If your baby is well fed, properly rested and clean, then she may lie for some time on it. This can give you some precious minutes to perform your household chores. You must stop using a mobile when he gets old enough to reach for it and pull it.
Blanket
Blankets are quite convenient to layer and keep him/her at the right temperature. You can easily add or remove a blanket if your baby is too cold or too hot. You must remember that a blanket that is folded is counted as two blankets. Babies require one more layer than a normal person to make them feel comfortable.
It is advised to use a light blanket and ensure that the head of the baby is not covered. Refrain from using duvets, bedding rolls or quilts, for babies who are less than a year old. This is due to the reason as it can lead to overheating and become a suffocation hazard too.
Baby mosquito net
Mosquito net for the baby is the safest method to protect him from diseases such as dengue and malaria. Opening your baby's net quickly through the night would allow mosquitoes to enter in it. There are different types of options under mosquito nets for a baby. It can be either a mesh fabric or tent that fits completely over his cot or bed.
Some of the cots on the market have a stand with it. You can even hang a mosquito net to these cots. You would need to tuck the net under the mattress of your baby so that no mosquitoes can manage to get inside from underneath. Ensure that the mosquito net is properly closed and devoid of any holes in it.
Conclusion
There are several mattress stores that provide a complete selection of baby sleep accessories. This is the listing of some of the most essential sleep accessories for your baby. By being informed, you can definitely make a wise decision.
